Mulayam Singh Yadav, leader of Uttar Pradesh’s current ruling party Samajwadi Party, was born on 22 November 1939.
On his 77th birthday, The Quint brings you the story of the man who has been the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh thrice and “almost-PM” many times.
Fondly called ‘Netaji’ by his supporters, Yadav began his political journey, inspired by the teachings of freedom fighter Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.
The SP supremo started out as an MLA in the UP Assembly in 1967 and was elected as chief minister of UP three times.
‘Netaji’ served as the CM from 1989 to 1991, from 1993 to 1995, and from 2003 to 2007. He is currently the Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh constituency.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s political career was never smooth. However, despite several controversies, he always managed to power through.
Yadav also made headlines for controversial statements such as the infamous one on rape: “Boys will be boys, they make mistakes.”
Netaji’s ‘Do or Die’ Spirit
Often called a "wheeler-dealer from the country's dusty northern plains" by some, Yadav was born to a rural family in Uttar Pradesh, a state that is both India’s most populous (with 200 million people), as also arguably the most politically important (seeing as it sends more MPs to Delhi than any other).
As a young man, he trained as a wrestler before being attracted to socialism and local politics – eventually becoming the chief minister of the state thrice and defence minister in a coalition government during the 1990s.
However, Yadav is at least as well known for his political manoeuvring now as he was in his youth for pinning down opponents in a wrestling bout. Reports abound that he secretly nurses an ambition to one day become prime minister. All eyes are now on the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly elections, though.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)